For the second consecutive game, the Atlanta Braves take advantage of the Miami Marlins’ lack of support of a quality start by their starting pitcher in a 8-2 win.

After scoring only one run in the first two games of their series against the Braves, the Marlins were thought to be ready to find their way at the plate facing Mike Minor (3-4), the owner of the worst ERA in the majors (6.57). However, Minor kept Miami relatively in check during his five innings on the mound despite giving up five walks and Jose Reyes’ first home run as a Marlin. The Marlins failed to bring any of their 13 runners in scoring position home in Thursday’s contest and finished an overall 1-for-20 with RISP for the series.

(Photo Associated Press) Jason Heyward watches his first home run of the night take flight.

The Braves proved that the Marlins’ ineptness at the plate was not contagious and hit four home runs on Thursday, including a 439-foot bomb to centerfield by Jason Heyward in the seventh inning. Heyward only had two hits in the contest, but they were both solo home runs. Martin Prado and Michael Bourn joined their right fielder in the home run department by launching one each over the wall, which marks the first time the team combined for four homers in a game this season.

Miami took the field on Thursday night failing to support their pitchers after recording seven hits in their last two games, and were in jeopardy of losing their last 10 of 12 games in Miami to Atlanta. Mark Buerhle (5-6) did all he could for his teammates by giving up a season-low three hits after six innings of work, including two hits that came after two outs in the sixth inning. Thursday’s loss marked the fifth time this season that Buerhle pitched at least six quality innings and had taken a loss or no-decision.

“We’re in a little slump right now,” pitcher Mark Buehrle told the Associated Press. “That’s what happens when you face good teams and good pitching.”

On Tuesday morning, the Marlins had won seven of their last nine games and were in first place in the NL East standings, but then their series with the Braves began later that day. Over the last three games, Miami managed to score only three runs compared to Atlanta’s 21, and now find themselves in fourth place in their division heading into their interleague matchup with the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday.

Atlanta currently finds themselves playing some of their best baseball of the season after beginning their series against the Marlins winning half of their previous 30 games. The Braves now own the best road record in the NL (20-14) and are looking to continue a a six-game winning streak against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez will start Brandon Beachy, the MLB leader in ERA (1.87), against Kyle Drabek (4-6) with hopes that he can rebound after two consecutive losses. Friday will also be a special night as Atlanta will welcome home John Smoltz to retire his No. 29 uniform in a pre-game ceremony.